Air conditioning, method and apparatus



Nay. 11, 1941.

H. C. LORD AIR CONDITIONING', METHOD ANU'APPARATUS Filedl May 5 1937 v7 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 11, 1941. H C LORD AIR CONDITIONING, METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed May 3, 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 I w'ok. y

Nov. 11, 1941.

H. c. LORD AIR CODITIONNG, METHOD NDA APPARATUS Filed May :5, 19:57 7 sheets-sheet s Nov. 11,1941. y I H, c, LORD Y 21,262,243

AIR CONDITIONING, METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed May s, 1937 7 sheets-she'et 4 I 241; /2 ,24 i I ff 45 48, 204:: ,40e ,fo ,we l

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38 1 u /w-i l l 30 2/ 6 7 46 4:/ d| J0 \54 o/G 9 "42- 4545!', 48 55 1' /7/ ,2 J4 juf/7 Nov. 11, 1941. H. c. LORD AIR CONDITIONING, MTHOD AND APPARATUS Filed May s, 19:57

,'7 Sheefs-Sheet 5 Nav. 11, 1941. 1 -C10@ l 1 2,262,243

AIR CONDITIONING, METHOD AND APPARATUS Fi1ed May s, 19:57 7 sheets-sheet e 24j/W21- f Nov. l1, 1941. H. C. LORD AIN CONDITIONING,

METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed May 3, 1937 A '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 high bay. It

Paten-ted Non. il, lllil @litiga conatriouruo, Mannen arrsna'rns li Claims.

The present invention is designed for air con dtioning, heating, cooling and Ventilating, and in the form exemplied in the drawings it is adapted for air conditioning, heatingv and ventilating in shops, although in its broader phases it is not so limited.

One of the features of the invention is the stratification of the air adjacent the floor from the air adjacent the roof and this is particularly advantageous in ysingle story buildings where the roof exposure is a factor in heat exchange, intensifying the heat in the summer and the cold in the winter. -In carrying out this feature of the invention a'projected sheet of air is provided' substantially throughoutthe entire area of the building. and this sheet of air is so controlled that the major portion of the air is circulated, if

desired, in the lower strata of the building. To accomplish this in the form illustrated, the air is projected through slits in opposing Ventilating tubes iny 'each side of the bay ci the building, the sheets of air so projected abutting at approximately the center of the bay and the direction of the sheet being adjusted so that substantially all the air at the abutting point is carried downwardly and returned to the Ventilating nues opening at the floor of the building. ln this way the energy involved in the projection of the airis utilized to insulate one stratum from the other,

the moving sheet largely preventing any penetration of the air from one stratum to the other. The 'impingement of the air at theV center of the bay retards the ymovement of the sheet, and effects a general diffusion of the air in its 'downward movement in the door stratum.- The jets are adjustable so that the direction of the sheet and properimpingement may be accomplished' ,so as to assure the downward movement of the air inthe circulation particularlyas the exhaust of the lower stratum in the air circulation creates a. pull in the ldownwind direction.

' In the preferred form, using a monitor type building for exemplifying the invention, the fans and heating and cooling units with their ducts are arranged below the low bays of the monitor roof so as to avoid any obstructonof light from the monitors. Preferably units are arranged in the centers of the low bays supplying opposingsheets ofair for the lo'w bays'andprojecting the sheets from both adjacent high bays for impingement in a. similar sheet from the opposite side of the will be understood, however, that each sheet may have 'a separate unit, or each sheet forming duct may have a separate unit, or each pair of sheet projecting ducts may have a openings or leakage in the monitors.

common unit. vIn the preferred form, however,v

each unit handles four sheets'.

lNumerous controls may be provided infthe preferred form and manner of use as shown. Adjusted for winter use, a slight amount of air is discharged through the roof stratum from the discharge sides of the fans, this creates a. deficiency in the lower stratum and, therefore, induces a compensating amount of air from the other stratum, this air being supplied through Adjusted for summer use, a slight amount of fresh air is bled into the intake of the fans, thus creating an excess of air in the floor stratum which excess forces an upward discharge in proportion to that taken in at the intake and this air delivered to the roof stratum finds its way out through the monitors or the openings at the roof. The reason for this change of adjustment is that in the winter the roof stratum will have a temperaturev between that of the floor stratum and the roof temperature so that taking in the Ventilating requirements from this stratum is more economical' than taking it from the outer air, while in the summer it is not desirable to induce any ow of the roof stratum to the oor stratum butquite the contrary, and consequently the excess air drawn in is discharged to the roof stratum and to that extent reduces its temperature somewhat.

In delivering the air to theducts `projecting the insulating and Ventilating sheets, the air may be heated by radiators in the manner of devices known as unit heaters, and this may be regulatedby lay-passing the air or by controlling the fan4 or the steam ask is practiced with unitA heaters.

Cooling radiators mayalso be introduced into the ducts for cooling the air using the same fans andV preferably one of the by-pass ducts may be used for heating and the other for cool-5 ing with proper closure valves so thatthe air may be passed through either the heating radleters, the cooling radiators, or may be simultaneously passed through both. In using the structure it may be desirable to wash the air and the y apparatus is provided with spray devices delivering spray to the up-take of the incoming air.

In the preferred form also an insulating sheet of air is directed downwardly substantially parallel and adjacent to the outer walls of the building. This insulating sheet segregating a stratum next the wall of the building from that within the insulating sheet, warming this exposed part of the building in the winter and coolirler this 55 exposed part `or the buuding in the summer.

over the low bay permitting the air to pass downward and into the floor stratum and floor sidewise into the high bay and rise in the high bay to be discharged from the monitors, the sealing jet of air in the high bay being omitted.

, 'Ihe apparatus mayA be very largely varied forcarrying out the general plan. Further features of the invention will appear from the specification and claims.

A preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the invention and one with which they method may be practiced is illustrated in the accompanying drawings as follows:

Fig. 1 shows a section crosswise of the building showing' a low bay andl showing the control set for winter use.

Fig-2 showsa similar use with the control se for summer use.

Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the corner of a building.

FigA4 a section on the line 4-4 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 shows an enlarged cross section crosswlse of the building.

Fig. 6 a plan view of the central portion of the main duct. V v

Fig. 7 a side elevation of the portion shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 a section on the line 8 8 in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 shows the main duct with its cover removed.

Fig. 10 is a bottom view of the main duct.

Fig. 11 a diagram of the piping for the radiators.

Fig. 12 a cross section of one of the jet ducts with the jet arranged horizontally.

Fig. 13 a fragment of the jet duct;

Fig. 14 a cross section of the jet duct adjusted for vertical discharge.

Fig. 15 shows a cross section of a modified arrangement of the controls. v

Fig. 16 a further modification.

Fig. 17 shows a modification.

Fig. v18 shows a modification.

Fig. 19 shows a vertical section on the lines |9-I9 in Figs. l, 3 and 4.

As the invention is illustrated, it is installed in Va standard monitor type building having the posts I, cross girders 2 for the tube for the low bays, longitudinal girders 3 between the posts l, beams 4 tying the posts across the high bays, 5

the monitor posts above the posts I, 6 beams across thehlgh bays, I and 8 roofs for the low and high bays respectively. The monitors are slot II designed to deliver or project an insulating sheet of air. rll'hese ducts are mounted on hangers I2 which are secured to a beam I3 by bolts I2a. These hangers are preferably formed of a bar of iron, of triangular shape, the lower, end of the triangle being open and one side ofA the triangle beingl provided with an arm |4 curved -to conform to the tube and the other side of the triangle terminating in a curved arm I5 conforming to the tube and the arms of the triangle being slightly separated at their lower ends and adjacent to the tube, and provided with an adjusting screw IB which is so adapted to adjust the distance between the arms I4 and I5 as to adjust the width of the nozzle or slot. 'Ihe arms also .form clamps which are adapted to engage the walls of the tube and lock it against turning.

ject a sheet I8 into impinging relation at I9 with a jet from an opposing nozzle. The airis conducted tothese 'jet tubes from a main duct or box 20 which extends across the low bay between jet duct II. The jet ducts 24 have their nozzles arranged to project sheets 26 which are adjusted to impinge at 26a at the center of the low bays, segregating the roof stratum 2l from the floor stratum 21a. The sheets from ducts Il and 24 are projected in lanes, the space between the lanes from the ducts Il being closed by the sheets from the loops 2| and the space between the lanes projected from the ducts 24 by the boxes 20. The space between the ducts I'I and 24 is closed by closure plate 28 preferably insulated, and the space between the duct and the roof is closed by adjustable closure plate 29 so that the opening above the duct I1 between the roof stratum 21 and roof stratum 23 in the monitor may be connected or closed by opening or closing the plate 29. Any convenient means may be used for mounting and actuating the plates 28 and 29. An uptake duct 30 leads from the floor level and forms the return for the circuit for the down iiowing air' from-both bays, and by ducts hereinafter described is connected in the circuit.

lAt the sides of the building the upper jet ducts 3| have their nozzles directed downwardly so as to project an insulating sheet 32 along the wall. Duets 54 extend from the duct 52 at the end of the building toY ,the jet ducts 24a (see Fig. 4). The ducts I'l at the end and the end ducts 34 are connected by corner ducts 33 forming a half of a loop 2| and are provided with the slots 22a continuingv the sheet formed by the end ducts Il to the end of the building. These ducts 24a and 34 are provided with downward'extending jet nozzles providing the insulating sheets 35 along the end of the building.

The power unit and fans and distribution 'ducts leading to and from the fan are shown in detail in Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, substantially the same detail being used in each of the iigures. 'I'hese comprise a motor 36 which is mounted on the top of a fan unit drawer 31 which is adapted to slide into the main duct or box 20. The two fan assemblies 33 and 39 are arranged in the drawer. Each of these fans is provided with a case 4D having a discharge 40a and an intake opening 40h. 'I'he fan blades 40e are mounted on a shaft 40d which shaft is journaled in bearings 40e. 'I'he motor has a drive pulley 36a and a belt 4| extends from pulley 36a to apulley 42 on the shaft 40d. The drawer is provided with a pocket 43'through which the shaft 40d extends, the pocket being divided from the chamber in the drawer by the wall 44. These parts are so cles-of the fans andthe inlet-opening leading to ythe drawer connect with the proper ducts in the ing through the outside by-pass, having an en-` largement 68 adapted to receive the heat radiators B9. The companion by-pass .has an enlargement 5t in which is arranged the cooling radiators 5l. The by-passes i6 and 41 converge to a passage 52 and four branches lead from the passage 52, upper passages 53 leading to the jet ducts l1 and 3d, and lower passages 54 leading to the lower jet ducts 2Q and 24a. A valve 55 is arranged in the passage 52 and the inlet ends of y the passages 53 and is adapted to cut oi the ducts I1. The valve plate 55 is mounted on a spindle 56 which extends through'the side of the box and is provided with an adjusting means.

A valve 45a is pivoted on a pin #5b whichex-y tends through the bottom of the boxfrom which the lvalve may be controlled. The valve, as, shown in Fig. 9= is swung to close the by-pass to the cooling radiators. It may beswung to close the by-pass to the heating radiators or may be made to occupy an intermediate vposition.` A similar valve 52a controls the outlet to thelby-passages. It is mounted on a'pin 52h. so that the valve may close the outlet from the passage 41 or d6 or may be made to occupy an intermediatev position as desired. It will oe noted that by closing valve Aia over the bypass divand the valve 52a over the by-pass 'd1 the entire discharge from one fan to all the ducts at one end of the main duct may be cut o.

The uptake 3@ is extended by an inclined duct 59 which'communicates with the duct 60 ex tending along the main duct 20 and this duct 6@ leads to the fan chamber formed by the drawer S1.

' A vent pipe 5i extends through the roof and connects with the fan box. Bypasses or `ducts t2 lead from the passages 45 to the vent pipe 66.- ,The vent pipe Bl is controlled -by valve '634 mounted on a stern il! by means of which the 1 v plained. A spray t1 is mounted in the uptake and connected by a pipe 68 with a. water system -or sourcesof water supply, this spray being designed to spray into the uptake for washing and conditioning theI air as may be desired. The lower end o the-uptake has a deector 69 which carries any drip to an open spillway 10 leading to a collecting drain itc. l

The plumbingdiagram for the main duct and radiators is as follows: The steam main 1l anda return main l2 extends'longitudinally of the building'along the posts l. Branches 13 extend Afrom the steam main along the mainV duct and have connections 'lli controlled by valve 15, with.

l aaeaacs A water main 19 extends longitudinally along.

the posts i connected by branches 80 with the cooling radiators 5I. These branches are vconcharge to the sprays t1 and are controlled by valves Bil. If preferred, the steam lines may be so that lthe direction of the jetv may be ad-v utilized for the cooling system by providing cross connections, not shown. Preferably all these controlling handles for the valves are carried to exposed portions below the box so that the controis may be readily handled, and `as far as practical the stems for the different air valves also carrythrough the bottom box for a similar purpose. I

The diierent jet tubes as Hand 25 are rotatively mounted on the tubes such as 53 and 54 justed, the hangers heretofore described being' also arranged to' permit of such adjustment. This is desirable so that the impingement of the projected sheets may be assured and also to so direct the insulating sheets that entrainment of into this balance.

air from the upper stratum .may be largely avoided and also thatthe airat the point of impingement and turbulence that is projected ln the sheet will be carried downward into the floor stratum. If the sheet is slightly deected downward the resultant force of the jet will tend to carry the projected air downwardly but yif supplied with smoke and the conditions observed from above the insulating sheet and from such observation an adjustment made that will practically neutralize the diiierent forces to eiect the delivery of the greater part of the projected' air `into the lower stratum and prevent any large quantities of air from being entrained from the upper stratum.

In'the voperation it will be seen, as set with relation in Fig.- l, the valve 63 is closed and the valves 65 open to an extent to give the percentage desired of fresh air supplied through air leakage, or entry, through the Windows of -the monitor. The path 'of the air through the ductsis clearly ndicatedin Figs. 6, 7 and 8. With this settingl a slight discharge of air through the duct. 62 creates a deficiencyin the ground strata which is compensated by air passing through the stem 16` extending loelowv the box so that the valve may be readily controlled. Branch line 11 leads from the steam radiators to the return main 12 these being supplied with valves 1B.

point of impingerncntv from the upper stratum to upper stratum and out of theopenings. in the monitors.

I have shown the by-pass by means of which the air4 may be shifted from either radiator and v thus permit an automatic control (not shown) if desired, as usually provided with unit heaters,

butit will be understood that any other means l Y of Acontrol such as motor control, steam or water control may be utilized for varying the capacity as desired. With either of the control methods in Figs. 1 and 2, the communication is open.

.In the alternative setting, shown in Fig. 15,

the jet tubes I1 are closed off by the valves 55.

In this structure the communicating closure 29 may be entirely, ,but preferably very nearly closed, the air sheets being impinging near theV middle of the low bay ilow down in the low bay sideways into the high bay and are discharged from the high bay. In this control the vent valve 63 is wide open so that the full capacity of the fans is satisfied with fresh air and the valves 55 are closed.

In the setting shown in Fig. 16, the vent valve 63 is closed, the valves 65 are fully open, 4and valve 55 is closed. The plate 29 closes the opening. In this set-up the discharge of air through the tubes 62 is compensated for by air drawn in through the monitors. A part of the air is re-circulated, but with a full opening of the duct 62 aA large volume lof air comes in through the monitors.

In the modification shown in Fig. `1'1, the apparatus is similar to that shown in Fig. 1 with the exception that a fixed obstruction 85 is provided for the impingement of the sheets. The operation is similar vto that of the structure yshown in Fig. 1.

In the modification shown in Fig. 18, the jets adjacent the sides of the building are projected with suflicient force to provide the impingement at the wall of the building and the jet direction and the forces are adjusted to carry the major portion -at least of the air downwardly so that it may be re-circulated. -The control both as to introduction of fresh air and the exhaustionv of the excess introduced is similar to that in Figs. 1 and 2.

It will be noted that filters may be substituted for either radiator 41, or 49, or a part may be applied to filters and part to radiators. It will also be understood .that filters may be substituted entirely for either radiator 41, or 49, so that air, at intervals, or part of the air all the time, may be forced through filters leaving the full radiator capacitythrough the other bypass.

Preferably, however, part of this space 48 and 50 should be occupied by radiators and lters, common filters and common radiators being used in each instance.

In all of these structures it is possible to maintain\ a controlled separated stratum of air with widely Varying temperature, the temperature in the upper stratum being .a medium between the roof temperature and that of the lower stratum. The comparatively dead air in the upper strata takes on whirls directly above one sheet induced by' the service of the sheet so that its disturbance of the sealing portion of the sheet is very slight.

What I claim as new is:

1. The method of controlling ldistribution of i air in a room which consists in stratifying different levels by sheets of projected airapprox- Aimately sealing the different levels from. each other` and recirculating a major portion ofthe air and tempering the air as circulated, introducing the desired percentage of fresh air, and discharging the excess from the upper stratum. 2. The method of controlling distribution of air in a room which consists in stratifying different levels by opposing sheets of projected air 3. 'I'he method of controlling distribution of4 4. In combination with a room., opposing ductsv having nozzles directing opposing sheets of air;

means recirculating said air from below the sheets; and a vent leading from the top of the roof connected with said recirculating means.

5. In combination with a room, opposing ducts having nozzles directing opposing sheets of air; means recirculating said air from below the sheets; and a vent leading from the top of the lroof connected with said recirculating means;

and means for controlling intake and discharge through the. vent.

6. The method of controlling the distribution of air ina room, which consists in stratifying different levels by opposing sheets of projected air. interposing fixed obstructions between said sheets having impingement intermediate the points of projection, andadjusting the direction of the jets for balancing the forces of impact toprevent other than a pre-determined transfer of air from one stratum to the other:E

'1. The method of controlling distribution of air in a room which consists in stratifying different levels by projecting substantially horizontally across the width of the room sheets of -air having approximately the area to be straticlined to each other and impinging intermediate the points of projection, the inclination of the sheets directing the major portion of the projected air from the impingement downwardly, and removing the downwardly directed air from the lower portion of the room.

9. The method of controlling distribution of air in a room which consists in stratifying different levels by projecting substantially horizontally across the width rof the room sheets of air approximately sealing the different levels from each other, said air being directed downwardly and removedfrom the lower portion of the room and projecting a sheet of air downwardly and spaced from but adjacent to a side wall of the room, the sheet along the side wall being projected from a point nearer the first-mentioned sheet than the bottom of the wall, the air directed along the side wall being removed from the lower portion of the room.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a room, means projecting substantiallyhorizontally across the width of the roomv opposing sheets of air spaced from the floor and ceiling of the room and impinging along an intermediate line at the desired level, stratifying the air above the sheet from the floor stratum, said sheets having an area equal to the major portion of the room area and being directed to move r4the air downwardly. and means removing the air so projected from the lower portion of the room.

11. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a room of means projecting substantially horizontally across the Width of 5 the 'room opposing sheets of air spaced'from the ceiling and the 'floor impinging along an intermediate line at a desired level, stratifylng the air above the sheet from the floor stratum, the sheet being directed to deliver the projected air downwardly, and means removing the downwardly projected air from the lower part of the room, including means for recirculating at least a portion of the air removed.

HUGH C. LORD. 

